Turning Stone Resort Casino in Central New York will celebrate the grand opening of NY Rec & Social Club, a modern lounge and sportsbook, on December 6. This will be the first venue to open as part of Turning Stone’s 30-year, $370 million expansion that was announced back in July and represents what the casino calls “the most significant addition” to the entertainment complex since Turning Stone opened it 10 years ago.
The Lounge with Caesars Sportsbook will move to NY Rec & Social Club, offering guests “a more playful nightlife and dining experience,” described as combining a sophisticated restaurant lounge with a traditional sportsbook. “NY Rec & Social Club will have a speakeasy vibe that is eclectic and energetic and is designed to be a fun place to socialize with friends,” Turning Stone said in a press statement.
The bar will be located in the center of the main room. It will feature crystal chandeliers and serve a variety of signature cocktails. NY Rec & Social Club will also feature 60 high-definition TV screens for sports viewing.
In the former location of LAVA, NY Rec & Social Club will transition into a sportsbook and lounge, complete with a live DJ. The new venue will also feature table games, such as blackjack, and social games including foosball, shuffleboard, and billiards, and can accommodate seating for nearly 200 guests on the first level with additional seating on the expansive outdoor patio. The upper level can be reserved for private events.
Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO, said: “NY Rec & Social Club will be one of the most unique entertainment venues in the region. As an industry leader for the last 30 years, venues like NY Rec & Social Club ensure that Turning Stone remains an industry leader for the next 30 years.”
In preparation for the opening, Turning Stone will host a hiring event on Tuesday, September 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to fill a range of full- and part-time positions for its grand opening team. Positions include sous chefs, cooks, bartenders, barbacks, table game dealers, sportsbook writers, hostesses, servers, dining attendants, and supervisors.
The current $370 million investment in Turning Stone’s evolution is projected to generate thousands of construction jobs and millions of dollars in revenue, significantly boosting regional tourism, according to the Oneida Nation.
Halbritter had previously stated: “The Turning Stone Evolution is much more than just an expansion. It is nothing less than a full evolution of the region’s premier destination and its role as an economic leader.”
